Constructed Journeys:

A commissioned drawing performance by Anushiya Sundaralingam

Sunday 19 May, 11am - 3pm

Titanic Hotel Belfast, Drawing Office One, 8 Queens Rd, BT3 9DT

We have commissioned artist Anushiya Sundaralingam to undertake a durational drawing performance which weaves together the threads of memory, displacement, and the universal human experience of migration drawing on her personal journey navigating the perilous waters of the Sri Lankan civil war.

Taking place in the iconic Drawing Offices in which the Titanic and other White Star Line boats were designed and planned, this commission is inextricably linked to Belfast’s past as a significant site of migration.

In constructing three-dimensional paper skeleton boats and drawings of small boats, each of Anushiya's brushstrokes will etch a story of small wooden boats navigating the darkness of uncertainty, mirroring the resilience of those who traverse tumultuous seas in search of refuge and belonging.

Drawing parallels with the current global landscape, where countless individuals face similar trials of travel, diaspora, and the quest for belonging, Anushiya's story, intertwined with the diverse tapestry of cultures, echoes the shared narrative of humanity's search for home.

The paintings produced will form part of our procession to the river Lagan on 3 August 2024: the spectacular culmination of our WATER WORKS project, launch of 10,000 boats and a tribute to our waterways past, present and future. 

This performance has been programmed to coincide with another Belfast 2024 commission - Little Amal's visit to Belfast - produced by Belfast City Council and ArtsEkta in partnership with The Walk Productions, in association with Handspring Puppet Company. Little Amal has become a global symbol of human rights, especially those of refugees. Her journeys are festivals of art and hope that draw attention to the huge numbers of children fleeing war, violence and persecution, each with their own story. More information on the full programme of Little Amal’s trip can be found here.

The artist has written a text to accompany her performance. You can read it here.

About Anushiya Sundaralingam:

Anushiya Sundaralingam is a multidisciplinary artist. She is a studio holder at QSS and a member of Belfast Print Workshop. In 2022, she was awarded an Artists Career Enhancement Scheme from Arts Council of Northern Ireland and is working towards an exhibition at the Ulster Museum. She has also extensively exhibited across Ireland and internationally (Sri Lanka, Australia, Spain, and US amongst others). Her works are held in private and public collections, including Arts Council Northern Ireland.